Write a farm or dog-industry job ad: structure and examples

Key facts

Start with

The real job description and employment arrangement

Skills

Essential on arrival, desirable, and taught under supervision

Dog detail

Whose dogs, what work, what handling level and what facilities

Pay statements

Must not undercut applicable minimum entitlements

Examples on this page

Illustrative wording, not current vacancies or fixed employment terms

Use a title that describes the vacancy

Choose a title applicants can connect to the work: sheep-farm hand, kennel attendant or livestock handler, for example. Add the region and a genuine distinguishing feature where useful. Farmhand with supplied stockdogs says something different from experienced stationhand required to supply dogs.

Fair Work’s advertisement resource starts from the job description. Confirm duties, responsibility, reporting and employment type before writing the promotional paragraph. Do not promise a training position if the property actually needs independent handling from the first day. The title should help suitable people recognise the role without disguising its demands.

Describe the ordinary day and the dog component

Name the work that occupies the role. A farm advertisement can identify stock checks, fences, water systems and livestock movement, then explain the dog handling involved. A kennel advertisement can identify cleaning, feeding, observation, exercise and records. A training-assistant advertisement should state which activities are supervised and which decisions remain with the trainer.

Illustrative wording: “The role combines sheep and general property work. You will use established property dogs under the manager’s direction while learning our handling routines.” An experienced vacancy would need different wording if independent work is essential. Replace general promises about a dog lifestyle with the actual setting, frequency and responsibility.

Separate essential skills from preferences

The Australian Human Rights Commission recommends clear duties and a distinction between essential and desirable criteria. Essential should describe what the person must be able to do for this job. Desirable identifies useful additional experience, while training offered explains what the employer can develop.

For a dog-related requirement, state the task rather than only asking for animal experience. For example: handling a supplied dog around sheep under instruction, maintaining accurate kennel records, or independently coordinating a dog and stock movement. Ask for evidence that answers those requirements. Avoid irrelevant personal information or assumptions about which type of person belongs in the industry.

Explain dogs, accommodation and location before people travel

State whether dogs are supplied, required from the worker, permitted by agreement or not accommodated. If worker-owned dogs are required, explain the work they need to perform and what facilities are available. Keep personal-dog access distinct from the requirement to supply a dog for work.

Describe the location, roster, accommodation and travel arrangement accurately. Say what meals, housing or transport are actually included and identify any proposed charges. “Accommodation available” leaves questions unanswered; a useful ad gives enough information for an applicant to enquire meaningfully. Confirm the detail in the written offer before relocation.

Use accurate pay and employment information

Fair Work says job advertisements cannot include rates that breach the Fair Work Act or an applicable award or agreement. Determine the relevant employment system, coverage and classification before advertising a number. Do not copy a rate from another farm or present one dog-industry rate as universally applicable.

Explain the employment type, expected hours and the basis of any pay information you choose to publish. Fair Work also identifies particular requirements for pieceworker advertisements where a periodic rate applies. Accommodation, dog allowances and other benefits need their own accurate description; a benefits phrase should not conceal the actual wage arrangement. Seek the current official guidance for the proposed role.

A reusable advertisement structure

Role and place: [job title], [business or property], [region]. Opening: describe the business and the purpose of the vacancy in two or three sentences. Work: name the core tasks, the stock or dog setting and the reporting line. Identify what the worker is responsible for independently.

Skills and support: list essential capabilities, useful additional experience and training offered separately. Dogs and living arrangements: identify who supplies dogs, approved personal-dog access, facilities, roster, accommodation and travel. Employment details: state the type of engagement, expected hours and checked pay information.

Application: name the information needed, the contact route and any closing date. Ask for relevant examples and availability, then explain the next step if known. This structure is original illustrative guidance. Replace every bracket and confirm the resulting ad against the actual role before publishing; it is not a ready-made vacancy.

Make applications easy to assess

Ask applicants for a concise work history and examples relevant to the stated criteria. For stockdog work, ask for livestock, task, dog arrangement and supervision level. For kennel work, ask for the actual care and record responsibilities performed. Explain whether references or further evidence will be requested later.

Use a reachable contact and an agreed process for enquiries. If a practical assessment is part of selection, give enough information for the candidate to ask about task, supervision and payment arrangements. The hiring guide covers that process in more detail. Keep this advertisement focused on a genuine vacancy rather than collecting applications against an unclear role.

Publish, maintain and close the advertisement

Check that the ad agrees with the job description and the offer you can make. Read it as someone unfamiliar with the property: can they identify the work, location, required experience, dog arrangement and how to respond? Save the published version so the employer and applicants can refer to the same description.

Update material changes and close the advertisement when the vacancy is filled or withdrawn. WORKING DOG’s listing link below is the route to advertise; the worker-availability board is for people offering their skills. This guide and its examples are reference content, not live vacancies or evidence that a role is currently open.

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